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Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 was passed by Parliament to pay for defense on the American Frontier. Many troops were stationed along the Appalachian Mountains. The Stamp Act had a tax on every printed paper good sold in the colonies. -
Protest of Stamp Act
The colonists created the Stamp Act Congress in response to the Stamp Act placed on the colonies by Parliament. The Stamp Act Congress discussed what should be dont about the unfair act. The came up with the slogan: "No taxation without representation". -
Gaspee Affair
A ship carrying passengers was heading for Providence, Rhode Island. Suddenly, a British ship called the Gaspee attacked them. The passenger ship finally got away when the Gaspee got stuck in low tide. The next morning, many men went out and attacked the Gaspee. They burned the ship and captured the crew. -
British Pulled Out of Virginia
Patriot troops attacked and defeated Virginian governor Dunmore's troops near Norfolk, Virginia. British then pulled their soldiers out of Virginia leaving the Patriots in control. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a rebellion by colonists because Parliament refused to get rid of the tax on tea. The “Sons of Liberty” went to Boston Harbor and dumped all of the ships tea into the harbor. -
Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts were put in place by Parliament to keep colonists from disobeying other acts and laws. After the Boston Tea Party took place, the British Government had to do something to keep order in Massachusetts. -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act was put in place to give the French in Canada more rights. Quebec was now governed by Britain because of the Treaty of Paris. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a meeting of representatives from 12 colonies to discuss the response to the “Intolerable Acts” placed on the colonies by Britain. All of the representatives met in Philadelphia. They wanted to seem like united colonies to Britain. The three main objectives of the congress were to compose a statement of colonial rights, identify which of those rights were being violated by Parliament, and provide a plan to convince Britain to restore those rights. -
Paul Revere's Ride
In April of 1775, Paul Revere rode to Lexington, Massachusetts to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British were coming. On his ride, Paul Revere warned the whole countryside of the British. Paul was arrested by a British patrol, but soon released. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The British General Thomas Gage was ordered to destroy rebel military stores at Concord. He told all his men last minute about the plan and marched about 750 soldiers from Boston and across the Charles River at midnight. The whole countryside was alerted of this movement. A small militia attacked the troops and 8 colonists were killed. This battle started the American Revolutionary War. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress met with delegates from all 13 colonies in Philadelphia. The elected George Washington as the Commander in Chief of the new Continental Army, which was a small militia in Boston. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was between the British troops and the patriot army. The British ended up winning the battle, but suffered many deaths and wounds. -
George Washington Appointed General
George Washington was appointed General of the Continental Army in 1775. Washington had the most military experience over all of the other candidates for the position. He fought 8 years of war. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was an attempt by the colonies to peacefully come to an agreement with Britain. The king of England refused to accept the petition and thought he could just end the American rebellion with military force. -
Proclamation of Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition
After the Battles of Lexington and Concord, King George III of England issued the Proclamation of Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition. This Proclamation stated that the colonies were rebelling against his authority and they would be subject to severe penalty. -
Committees of Correspondence Established
The Committees of Correspondence was created to keep colonies connected and to help one another. The committee promotes colonial unity. -
Common Sense Published
Common Sense was published by Thomas Paine in 1776. This pamphlet challenged the authority of the British government and openly asked for the colonies’ independence. -
British Evacuate Boston
George Washington and his men set up cannons around Boston, pointing at the British ships in the harbor. The next morning, British troops and ships evacuated Boston. -
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson first wrote the Declaration of Independence. It is one of the most influential documents in American History. It states basic rights that the colonists should have. The Declaration of Independence also says that the colonies in America will no longer be part of England. -
Writing of Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written in four parts. The Preamble is the introduction. It states that sometimes people must make a new nation. The second part lists the rights of all people. The third part of the Declaration of Independence is unfair actions of the King. The last part of the document states that the 13 colonies are free and independent states.
